Zamalek secured an important 1-0 away victory over Rwanda's APR FC on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, in the first leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round.

The Egyptian side claimed the win in dramatic fashion after Nasser Mansi scored the only goal in the 90th minute, giving Zamalek a valuable advantage ahead of the return match in Cairo and moving the club closer to the group stage.

It was not an easy evening for Zamalek, as the Rwandan side applied pressure for much of the match.

However, the visitors managed to keep a clean sheet before finding the winning goal in the final moments.

Mansi Secures Late Victory

APR FC tried to make the most of their home advantage, pushing forward in search of a goal that would put them in a stronger position before the second leg.

Zamalek, meanwhile, focused on staying organized defensively while looking for opportunities to attack.

The Egyptian team faced several difficult periods as the hosts continued to push forward, but neither side managed to score during most of the match.

In the 88th minute, Zamalek thought they had finally broken the deadlock, only for the goal to be ruled out because Mahmoud Hamdy El Wensh was in an offside position.

Despite that disappointment, Zamalek continued searching for a winner.

Just two minutes later, substitute Nasser Mansi scored with a low shot that found the back of the net, giving the visitors a dramatic 90th-minute lead.

Mansi's goal changed the outcome of a match that appeared to be heading toward a goalless draw.

The late winner also highlighted the importance of Zamalek's attacking options on the bench, with Mansi making a decisive impact after coming on.

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The result gives Zamalek a major confidence boost after a difficult away match and puts the Egyptian club in a stronger position before the second leg.

Zamalek Look Ahead to Cairo Decider

Zamalek started the match with Mahdi Soliman in goal, supported by a defensive line featuring Ahmed Fattouh, Mahmoud Hamdy El Wensh, Mostafa El Zenary, and Omar Gaber.

Mohamed Shehata, Ahmed Rabie, and Abdallah El Said formed the midfield, while Oday Dabbagh, Hossam Ashraf, and Chico Banza led the attack.

Nasser Mansi began the match among the substitutes before entering the game and scoring the decisive goal, becoming one of the key figures in Zamalek's victory.

The second leg is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, at Cairo International Stadium, with kickoff set for 8:00 PM local time.

Zamalek will enter the return match holding a 1-0 aggregate advantage, meaning a draw or another victory will be enough to secure qualification for the group stage.

APR FC, on the other hand, must win by at least two goals to qualify directly.

A 1-0 victory for the Rwandan team would leave the aggregate score level and send the tie to a penalty shootout.

Although Zamalek have taken an important step toward qualification, the contest is far from over.

The Egyptian side will need to remain focused, avoid conceding early, and make the most of their home advantage in Cairo.

Zamalek will also hope that support from their fans can help them complete the job and continue their African campaign.

After a challenging evening in Kigali, Zamalek returned home with a valuable victory thanks to Nasser Mansi's last-minute goal, which could prove decisive in the race for a place in the CAF Champions League group stage.